The Texas high school football season is over. We made and we're 220 days until the start of the 2021 season - the shortest offseason in #txhsfb history.
Congrats to our teams for pulling through and getting to the finish line. But with the end of the season comes the look ahead to the next season, and what could happen.
These are the ultimate knee-jerk predictions as move forward to the 2021 season.
No Missed Games in 2021
Knowing what it took to get through the 2020 season and with help on the way, my top bold prediction for the next year. While we didn't have major cancellations that affected too much of the postseason but had many cancellations or postponements in the regular season.
I don't believe we'll have that problem moving into next season. We had an unprecedented year and now with the knowledge of what it takes to get through, we're better equipped to handle it all.
6A Drought Will Continue
A 6A DFW team has not won a state title since 2017 when Allen beat Austin Lake Travis. Expect that drought to continue in 2021.
Of course, the divisional situation will inevitably create some paths that will be very favorable to some teams. However, looking at rosters of the 2020 champs Katy and Austin Westlake, I expect 2021 State to run through those teams again.
Southlake Will Be Back
With the talent at quarterback, running back and a young defense, Southlake is primed to make another run at State.
Quinn Ewers being back to 100 percent in 2021 will allow him to rack up big numbers even as Landon Samson will be the No. 1 target. Owen Allen will have another great season as the lead feature out of the backfield and a defense that made great strides with just three returning starters to begin the season.
Watch Out for Melissa
Argyle ran through state with a senior-laden team. It was the culmination years of anguish and coming up short along with a unrelenting desire to climb the mountain and claim the title.
Now, the team to watch in 4A Division I is going to be district-mate Melissa, which had the most proficient offense in the area in 4A, averaging nearly 500 yards a game and more than 50 points per game.
The talent is there and the defense will make strides to make Melissa a force to reckon with in 2021.
Ollie Gordon Will Be Mr. Texas Football
After his 400-plus-yard performance in the upset against Allen in the playoffs, Euless Trinity running back Ollie Gordon made a fan out of me. I know he had a solid season leading up to that game, but that performance put him in another category.
TexasFootball.com hands out the award, which was given to Hallettsville running back Jonathan Brooks this past year. Trinity is a ground-and-pound team with timely passes to keep defenses off balance, and barring any big injury Gordon, he'll be the best running back in the state in 2021.
Allen's District Win Streak Ends
It nearly happened at home against Prosper, but Allen was able to preserve its district win streak and extend it to 83 straight.
Talent permeates the Allen program, but it was a very senior-laden team in 2020. With another tough slate coming up - Denton Guyer, Denton Braswell, McKinney Boyd and McKinney - I think 2021 will be the year Allen's district win streak falls.
DFW Continues its TAPPS Domination
It'll be another in which DFW teams completely own TAPPS' highest classifications.
In 2020, DFW teams took home two of the 11-man state titles with the Division I matchup being all-DFW. That trend will continue with teams like Fort Worth All Saints, Fort Worth Nolan Catholic, Plano Prestonwood, Dallas Parish, Plano John Paul II, Colleyville Covenant and Dallas Christian all primed for big runs in 2021.
